Demolition

LUXURY: Heiress Anne plans massive leisure complex

SUPERMARKET magnates the Heffernans have unveiled plans for a massive private leisure complex at their south Dublin estate.

The daughter of Dunnes Stores chief Margaret Heffernan has been granted permission by Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council for the extensive project.

Mother and daughter live two doors away from each other -- either side of a property called Knocknarea -- on a 1.4-acre site on the Stillorgan Road.

Anne Heffernan is now set to demolish Knocknarea, which the family also owns, to make way for the development.

The proposals include provision for a bar, two cinemas, massive ensuite bedrooms and a 15-metre swimming pool, complete with changing areas.

Details of the designs, which were published on the council's website, reveal the family wants to build a 15,000 square foot interconnected compound.

Demolition

The files show permission has been given for Knocknarea's demolition and the subdivision of its site. The house is situated between the 1930s period homes Dilkusha, belonging to Ben Dunne's sister Margaret Heffernan, and another property, Alma.

A new boundary wall will be built between the properties and the vehicle access to Dilkusha will be removed by the reinstatement of a front boundary wall.

Officials have given the green light for the demolition of extensions to Dilkusha and the construction of two-storey extensions to sides and rear.

An existing extension to Alma would also be knocked down and replaced by a two-storey over-basement addition to the side and rear, in which an indoor swimming pool would be located.

The drawings show the extensions to Dilkusha would contain a bar/pantry on the ground floor along with a family room, a dining room and a kitchen.

There would also be a TV/cinema room, a laundry, a cloakroom, a study and an elevator.

On the first floor, there would be a massive master bedroom with two bathrooms, a lounge area, a walk-in wardrobe and a sizeable balcony.

The ground-floor plan for Alma includes provision for a 15x5-metre indoor swimming pool, a playroom and male and female changing facilities.

The home's proposed basement extension would contain a cinema and laundry.